FORMULA 1: Hamilton Seals Third World Title With Victory In Austin

                      

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, celebrates after winning the world championship win his victory at the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton secured his third Formula One drivers' title with victory at a dramatic United States Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday.

Mercedes driver Hamilton ultimately pipped team-mate Nico Rosberg to glory at the Circuit of the Americas, following an incident-packed race featuring several safety-car periods, enthralling strategic battles and a host of overtaking manoeuvres.

The Briton made contact with Rosberg as he initially passed the pole-sitting German at the first corner, but the latter worked his way back to the front and looked set to keep both himself and Sebastian Vettel in mathematical contention for the title by winning the race.

However, a Rosberg mistake on lap 49 of 56 allowed Hamilton to snatch a 10th victory of the season and join the likes of Jackie Stewart and Ayrton Senna in becoming a three-time world champion.

A dramatic finish saw Vettel, the closest challenger heading into this weekend, threaten to claim second from Rosberg and keep Hamilton waiting for at least another week.

Rosberg ensured a Mercedes one-two was secured, though, and Hamilton now holds an unassailable advantage with three rounds of the season remaining.

Vettel, who started down the grid following an engine-related penalty, had to settle for third, ahead of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

OFF TO A FLYER
Suggestions that Hamilton might play it safe were put to bed at the first turn as the Briton moved alongside Rosberg and forced his team-mate wide to claim the lead.

RACE TO FORGET
Sauber saw their drivers - Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson - collide on lap one, with the latter subsequently retiring.  Daniil Kvyat and Kimi Raikkonen were among several others who failed to finish, the Red Bull man involved in a heavy crash at Turn 19 on lap 43.

RACE STAT TO REMEMBER
Only four men - Michael Schumacher (7), Juan Manuel Fangio (5), Alain Prost (4) and Vettel (4) can top Hamilton's tally of three world titles.

IN THE POINTS
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 25
Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 18
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 15
Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso) 12
Sergio Perez (Force India) 10
Jenson Button (McLaren) 8
Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) 6
Pastor Maldonado (Lotus) 4
Felipe Nasr (Sauber) 2
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 1

TITLE STANDINGS
Lewis Hamilton (327)
Sebastian Vettel (251)
Nico Rosberg (247)
Kimi Raikkonen (123)
Valtteri Bottas (111)

Mercedes (574)
Ferrari (374)
Williams (220)
Red Bull (150)
Force India (102)

NEXT UP
Mexico hosts the 17th round of the season next weekend, before the season concludes with visits to Brazil and Abu Dhabi.